Jumbo, take a bow
In a country where cricket has the status of a religion and the batsmen are treated like the Gods themselves, how does a hardworking bowler get his place in the sun? Anil Kumble, the bespectacled gentle giant who debuted in 1990 in typical English weather rubbing shoulders with future selectors, a future politician and India’s finest all-rounder is the person in question.
The Infosys Annual Report 1995-96 recognised him by stating this “A level-headed person with admirable manners… An engineer by profession, Kumble brings a cerebral approach to the art of spin bowling.” Also to note that in the same year he was the highest wicket taker at the World Cup and ended the year on a high by being was one of the Wisden cricketers of the year.
Though criticised for not spinning the ball so much and for his unorthodox style, his statistics tell a different tale. To date, there is no one in test cricket who has a century against his name along with 500-plus wickets. If one looks at his statistics and despite him being such an effective contributor to his team there is no other Indian whose career is full of so many historic highs and yet was treated so undeservingly - starting from the Man of the Series in 1993 to scoring the only Indian ton in 2007 series against England where there were more than seven batsmen in the side. How can anyone forget the ten-wicket haul against Pakistan?
Kumble’s never say die attitude deserves a gun salute. Be it the return from a career threatening shoulder injury or the game in Antigua when he came out to bowl with a broken jaw and took the wicket of Brian Lara, he has always led from the front. In many ways, his play in the Antigua game defined his spirit, dedication and commitment to the game. His aggression is best shown in his bowling, but otherwise he appears as if he cannot hurt a fly. His ethics and behaviour on and off the field would be tough to emulate.
Inspite of his sterling track record, the treatment meted out to him has left much to be desired. Guess it can happen only in India. Every time, Kumble has been ignored he has not retired to the background to fret, but has either played for his state or county cricket in England to keep his game alive. Maybe it is a lack of lobby or he felt the brunt of the fact that there were too many cricketers from his state. One forgets that he always got into the team for his merit and went out for no fault of his. No other country would treat its sporting hero in such a shoddy manner.
By appointing him Captain, there is too feeble an attempt to set right many wrongs after years of neglect – the least that could be done was give him a longer reign. On a positive note, it is hoped that his presence will usher in a fresh perspective to the young guns that think talk is cheap and on field histrionics are de rigueur for a good game. As he walks into the sunset, there wouldn’t be any job that Kumble hasn’t taken as a player. That day the sport would see the end of an era of intelligence, positive attitude, camaraderie and dedication. Jumbo, take a bow.
The Infosys Annual Report 1995-96 recognised him by stating this “A level-headed person with admirable manners… An engineer by profession, Kumble brings a cerebral approach to the art of spin bowling.” Also to note that in the same year he was the highest wicket taker at the World Cup and ended the year on a high by being was one of the Wisden cricketers of the year.
Though criticised for not spinning the ball so much and for his unorthodox style, his statistics tell a different tale. To date, there is no one in test cricket who has a century against his name along with 500-plus wickets. If one looks at his statistics and despite him being such an effective contributor to his team there is no other Indian whose career is full of so many historic highs and yet was treated so undeservingly - starting from the Man of the Series in 1993 to scoring the only Indian ton in 2007 series against England where there were more than seven batsmen in the side. How can anyone forget the ten-wicket haul against Pakistan?
Kumble’s never say die attitude deserves a gun salute. Be it the return from a career threatening shoulder injury or the game in Antigua when he came out to bowl with a broken jaw and took the wicket of Brian Lara, he has always led from the front. In many ways, his play in the Antigua game defined his spirit, dedication and commitment to the game. His aggression is best shown in his bowling, but otherwise he appears as if he cannot hurt a fly. His ethics and behaviour on and off the field would be tough to emulate.
Inspite of his sterling track record, the treatment meted out to him has left much to be desired. Guess it can happen only in India. Every time, Kumble has been ignored he has not retired to the background to fret, but has either played for his state or county cricket in England to keep his game alive. Maybe it is a lack of lobby or he felt the brunt of the fact that there were too many cricketers from his state. One forgets that he always got into the team for his merit and went out for no fault of his. No other country would treat its sporting hero in such a shoddy manner.
By appointing him Captain, there is too feeble an attempt to set right many wrongs after years of neglect – the least that could be done was give him a longer reign. On a positive note, it is hoped that his presence will usher in a fresh perspective to the young guns that think talk is cheap and on field histrionics are de rigueur for a good game. As he walks into the sunset, there wouldn’t be any job that Kumble hasn’t taken as a player. That day the sport would see the end of an era of intelligence, positive attitude, camaraderie and dedication. Jumbo, take a bow.
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